Machine for feeding tape material

ABSTRACT

The machine for dispensing tape material comprises a feed roller for feeding tape material (4) wound on a reel and pulling means predisposed to unwind said tape material (4) from said reel of tape material and to convey it towards an exit opening (3) of the machine. The machine comprises cut means predisposed to cut a strip of tape material (4).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention concerns a machine for dispensing tape material,in particular adhesive tape for closing containers and the like.

BACKGROUND ART

It has been known the need of performing in semi-automatic or automaticway the closure of containers such as cardboard packaging and the like.

To this aim, machines are generally used that dispense tape material,for example a tape of gummed paper, to provide suitable strips of suchtape material. The obtained strips are then applied, for example byhand, to the portions of the container to be closed.

A need of the field is to dispense strips of tape material of a lengthsuitable for the size of the container to be closed. Therefore, tapematerial dispensing machines have been devised which allow the user toset the desired length of the strip.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,069,972 discloses an electric operation machine fordispensing tape material. The machine comprises a case which internallydefines a housing chamber for a roller of tape material and shapes at afront portion an opening for the exit of strips of tape material unwoundfrom the roller. A system of pulling rollers is placed between thehousing chamber and the opening, predisposed to engage a portion of tapematerial unwinding from the reel and to direct it towards the abovementioned opening. At the opening, cut means are fixed, predisposed toseparate the dispensed strip. At the top of the machine, a control panelis placed, being provided with a plurality of commands comprising atleast one button to digit the length value of the desired strip of tapematerial and at least one button to operate in rotation the pullingrollers system.

A complained problem is that the operator shall set the length value ofthe strip of tape material according to the size of the container, everytime that it is required. In particular, in the case of a considerablenumber of containers having size different from one another, the abovementioned operation shall be frequently repeated with a waste of timefor the operator.

To solve the above mentioned problem, automatic machines have beendevised for dispensing strips of tape material.

WO00/42195 discloses, for example, a machine for dispensing tapematerial comprising a measuring device predisposed to measure adimension of the container to be closed, placed at abutment means whichserve as spatial reference for the measuring device. The measuringdevice is associated with a receiving device provided with a processingunit predisposed to receive a signal from the measuring device andoutput the value of the measured length. The processing unit isconnected with a dispensing device for tape material to which ittransmits a command signal so as to dispense a strip of a lengthsubstantially equal to the measured length of the container. An exampleof automatic dispensing machine is also described in WO2011/075445. Thispatent discloses a method and an apparatus for sealing the junctionportions and/or the ends of containers. The apparatus comprises a firstarm and a second arm, suitably spaced, predisposed to keep aligned atleast two adjacent panels of a container to be assembled so as to jointhe junction portion of the panels. A dispenser machine of tape materialprovided with a measuring sensor is associated with the arms. Themeasuring sensor is predisposed to measure the size of the junctionportion or a dimension of a container placed between the sensor and thearms using one of the arms as a fixed spatial reference.

Besides the technologic development of the field, there still exists theneed of having machines able to provide a more accurate and reliablemeasuring of the dimension/s of the container to be closed.

DISCLOSURE

The task of the present invention is to solve the above mentionedproblems, devising a machine which allows to perform in an optimal waythe dispensing of strips of tape material for the closure of containersand the like.

Within such task, it is a further scope of the present invention that ofproviding a machine which allows to perform in an accurate manner themeasuring of at least one dimension of the container to be closed.

Within such task, it is a further scope of the present invention toprovide a machine which allows to dispense in an efficient manner stripsof different kind of tape material.

A further scope of the present invention is to provide a machine fordispensing tape material which allows to increase productiveness.

A further scope of the present invention is to provide a machine fordispensing tape material of simple constructive and functionalconception, provided with surely reliable functioning, versatile use aswell as relatively economic cost.

The cited scopes are reached, according to the present invention, by themachine for dispensing tape material according to claim 1, as well as bythe machine for dispensing tape material according claim 3, by themethod according to claims 12 and 13, respectively.

The machine for dispensing tape material according to the inventioncomprises a feed roller configured to feed a tape material, unwinding itfrom a reel; cut means predisposed to perform the cut of the fed tapematerial; at least one measuring device for acquiring at least onefigure correlatable with the measurement of the dimension of a body, forexample a container, on which a strip of the above mentioned tapematerial is intended to be applied, having a length proportioned to thecited dimension to be measured; an auxiliary measuring device configuredto cooperate with the above mentioned measuring device for acquiring afurther figure correlatable with the above mentioned dimension of thecontainer; transmission means for transmitting the above mentionedcorrelatable figures; a control unit comprising a receiving unitpredisposed to receive the above mentioned transmitted figures, given bythe measuring device and by the auxiliary measuring device, so as todetermine the value of the above mentioned determined length and tocontrol the dispensing of the above mentioned strip; command means foroperating the controlled dispensing of the tape material, for examplewith the above mentioned length proportioned to the measured dimensionof the container, and/or in a portion determined by the above mentionedproportioned length.

Each measuring device may comprise a transducer member predisposed togenerate a signal addressed towards the container and to receive thesignal reflected by the container; a control and processing unitconnected with the transducer member, predisposed to control theemission of the above mentioned signal and to process said reflectedsignal so as to extract at least the cited figure correlatable with theabove mentioned dimension of the container.

A feature of the machine according to the invention is to allow anaccurate measuring of the value of at least one dimension of thecontainer to be measured, thanks to the measuring device and to theauxiliary measuring device which cooperate for acquiring such value. Inpractice, the measuring device and the auxiliary measuring device outputfigures correlatable with the measurement of the cited dimension of thecontainer, which are then integrated by the control unit. Therefore, themachine according to the invention comprises an accurate and reliablemeasuring system.

The use of the cited measuring devices allows as well an easierpositioning of the container to be measured with respect to the machine,as it requires no further reference point. More precisely, the item orthe container to be measured can simply be interposed between themeasuring devices, that is placed in a relatively free manner in theworking space, to allow an accurate measuring.

The machine may further comprise a supplementary command sensor for thedispensing of a completion portion of said tape material. Thesupplementary command sensor is configured for detecting an input signaland to convert it in an output signal addressed to the control unit, toperform the unwinding of a completion portion of the strip of tapematerial, in case the above mentioned unwinding occurs after theunwinding of a starting portion of the strip operated by the providedcommand means. The total sum of the starting portion with the completionportion extends for the above mentioned proportioned length, determinedby the control unit of the machine.

The supplementary command sensor can advantageously be operated byexerting a pulling action on the starting portion already unwound uponcommand of the command means. In substance, the operator itself operatesthe gripping and the pulling of the above mentioned starting portion,for operating the unwinding of the completion portion.

The supplementary command sensor can preferably shape a photodetectorsensor configured to detect a light signal and to convert it in anelectric signal addressed to the control unit of the machine.

Moreover, the above mentioned photodetector sensor is preferablyassociated with a shutter member which can be operated by exerting theabove mentioned pulling force on the starting portion unwound uponoperation of the command means.

Preferably, the cited shutter member associated with the photodetectorsensor comprises a lever member preferably associated with the case ofthe machine and handled further to the same traction action.

According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, themachine may comprise substantially at least one measuring device of thepreviously presented type, cooperating with the supplementary commandsensor, previously described, substantially to perform the dispensinginto two parts, one of starting and the other of completion, of therequired strip.

The machine further comprises, as in the preceding solution, a feedroller configured to feed a tape material, unwinding from a reel; cutmeans predisposed to perform the cutting of the fed tape material; acontrol unit comprising a receiving unit predisposed to receive theabove mentioned figures output by the measuring device and by theauxiliary measuring device, to control the dispensing of the strip oftape material; command means for operating the dispensing of the tapematerial, in particular in the above mentioned starting portion, whichrepresents a part of the strip.

This embodiment may comprise the previously disclosed specific featuresof the supplementary command sensor.

This embodiment, in particular, allows to dispense in optimal manneradhesive tape material, as the supplementary command sensor allows tocomplete in controlled manner the dispensing of the predetermined lengthof material, after the dispensing of a starting portion of material, andit can be firmly held by the operator or by equivalent means. The steadygrip of this starting portion prevents the material to roll-up andbecome useless during the subsequent dispensing of the completionportion, which extension is controlled by the control unit. Therolling-up is caused, for example, by electrostatic phenomena affectingthe adhesive tape.

Like in the previously cited embodiment, also in this alternativeembodiment the measuring device may comprise the previously describedrelative features, in particular a transducer member and a control andprocessing unit connected with the transducer member.

Advantageously, the machine according to the cited alternativeembodiment may comprise a fixed reference element, against which thecontainer to be measured can be placed in abutment, so as to define aspatial reference system for the measuring device, in particular for theabove mentioned transducer member, this spatial reference system beinguseful for acquiring and processing the figure correlatable with thedimension of the container to be measured.

As an alternative to the fixed reference element, in the citedalternative embodiment of the machine according to the invention, themachine may comprise, like in the previously disclosed embodiment, anauxiliary measuring device configured to cooperate with the providedmeasuring device to process the cited value of the dimension of thecontainer being measured.

In both embodiments according to the invention, the first and thealternative one, the machine may comprise a housing case for the workingmembers for the dispensing of the tape material, inside which the atleast one measuring device can be included.

As an alternative, the cited measuring device can be placed out of themachine case.

Preferably, the cited pulling means, the feed roller and the cut meanscan be housed inside the case.

Preferably, the case has an opening configured for the exit of the tapematerial unwound from the feed roller.

The transducer member of the at least one measuring device can be shapedby an ultrasound transducer.

Preferably, the transmission means of the at least one measuring deviceto the receiving unit of the control unit of the machine is wireless,for the advantage of the flexibility of installation.

Alternatively, the transmission means can provide linking wiring.

The present invention concerns as well a method for dispensing a tapematerial, which comprises the following steps.

In a first step a machine for dispensing tape material is arranged,comprising a feed roller configured for feeding the tape material,unwinding it from a reel; cut means predisposed to carry out the cuttingof the fed tape material; a measuring device for acquiring at least onefigure correlatable with the dimension of a body, for example acontainer, to which a strip of said tape material is intended to beapplied, having a length proportioned to the cited dimension to bemeasured; an auxiliary measuring device configured to cooperate withsaid measuring device for acquiring a further figure correlatable withthe above mentioned dimension of the container; transmission means fortransmitting the figure and the further figure; a control unitcomprising a receiving unit predisposed to receive the above mentionedfigures output by the measuring device and by the auxiliary measuringdevice, configured to process the value of the cited proportioned lengthand to control the dispensing of the above mentioned strip of tapematerial; command means for operating the dispensing of the tapematerial.

Subsequently, the container is interposed between the above mentionedmeasuring device and the above mentioned auxiliary measuring device.

Each prearranged measuring device firstly transmits a respective signaldirected to a respective facing surface of the interposed container andthen receives a signal reflected by the same respective surface of thecontainer.

Subsequently, each reflected signal is processed by each measuringdevice, and at least one figure correlatable with the dimension of thecontainer to be measured is transmitted through transmission means fromeach measuring device to the control unit of the machine, which receivesby means of the receiving unit.

The control unit processes the received figures, thus determining thevalue of the length proportioned to the dimension of the container;

Finally, the command means are operated to command the dispensing of theabove mentioned strip of tape material, with a length determined by thecontrol unit.

Preferably, the above mentioned step further provides to operate thecommand means, for example a dispensing button or a foot operatedcommand associated with the control unit of said machine to command thedispensing of the strip of tape material.

According to an alternative method which carries out the invention, itis provided to proceed according to the following.

In a starting step a machine is arranged according to the previouslydisclosed alternative embodiment.

Subsequently, the container to be measured is placed in a positionfacing the provided measuring device, preferably in abutment against areference element.

The following step provides to operate the measuring device,transmitting a signal directed towards a facing surface of the containerbeing measured and to receive on the same device the signal reflected bythe same surface.

Subsequently, the measuring device extracts, according to the reflectedsignal, at least one figure correlatable with the dimension of thecontainer being measured and transmits, through transmission means, thesame figure to the control unit.

The control unit determines the value of the length proportioned to themeasured dimension of the container.

The command means are operated and a starting portion of tape materialis dispensed from the feed roller of the machine. This portion isaccessible externally to the machine so as to be grasped and pulled.

A pulling action is then exerted on the above mentioned dispensedstarting portion, preferably by hand, thus operating the supplementarycommand sensor.

The operation of the supplementary command sensor operates the controlunit of the machine, which dispenses the completion portion of the stripof tape material.

Preferably, the command means comprise a starting button for thedispensing of the starting portion of the tape material.

Finally, it is possible to provide to exert a further pulling action onthe dispensing starting portion, before operating the dispensing of thecompletion portion of the strip of tape material.

Both disclosed methods provide to cut the dispensed strip by means ofthe cut means of the dispensing machine.

Preferably, the length of the strip of tape material to be dispensed issubstantially equal to the measured dimension of the container or anywayincreased by ends intended to be folded on opposing faces, adjacent tothe face which dimension is being measured.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Details of the invention shall be more apparent from the detaileddescription of a preferred embodiment of the machine for dispensing tapematerial, illustrated for indicative purposes in the attached drawings,wherein:

FIGS. 1 and 3 respectively show a perspective view of the machine fordispensing tape material according to the invention, according torespective embodiments;

FIGS. 2 and 4 respectively show a perspective view of the dispensingmachine in a different solution, according to different embodiments.

BEST MODE

With particular reference to such figures, the machine for dispensingtape material according to the present invention has been indicated with1.

The machine 1 is predisposed to dispense strips of tape material to beused, for example, to carry out the closure of containers and similaritems.

The machine for dispensing tape material 1 preferably comprises a case 2which frontally defines an exit opening 3 for dispensing the tapematerial 4.

Inside the case 2 a feed roller is preferably placed for feeding theabove mentioned tape material through the exit opening 3.

In practice, the tape material 4 is usually wound on a reel inserted onthe feed roller, not shown in the figures, arranged for example in ahousing chamber shaped by the case 2.

The tape material 4 can be for example gummed paper, adhesive tape or ofother kind, suitable for the scope.

Downstream of the feed roller the machine 1 comprises pulling means, notshown as well, predisposed to unwind by pulling the tape material 4 fromthe coil and to convey it towards the exit opening 3.

The machine 1 further comprises a control unit configured for driving,through a suitable operation member, the pulling means. Moreover, thecontrol unit is provided with a receiving unit for the figurestransmitted by at least one measuring device, as it is better describedin the following.

It is possible to provide that the control unit is associated with apanel with function of interface for the operator, being furtherequipped with command means, for example a dispensing button forcommanding the dispensing of a strip of tape material, having apredetermined length. As an alternative to the button or touch command,it is possible to provide a foot operated command connected with thecontrol unit for operating the dispensing of a strip of predeterminedlength.

It is also possible to provide that the control panel comprises astarting button predisposed to allow the dispensing of a startingportion of a strip of tape material having a predetermined length. Thisstarting portion can serve as pulling flap for the user, as it is betterdescribed in the following.

The machine comprises as well cut means, not shown in the figures,predisposed to perform the cutting of the tape material 4 to obtainstrips of tape material, of a predetermined length. The cut means arefixed preferably at the exit opening 3.

The machine comprises, according to a particular embodiment, preferablyat the exit opening 3, a supplementary command sensor, for example aphotodetector sensor, preferably having an integrated light source,predisposed to detect an emitted light signal and to convert it in anelectric signal. This converted electric signal is suitably addressed tothe control unit of the machine to allow the completion of thedispensing of the strip of tape material of predetermined length, as itis better explained in the following. A shutter member, not shown infigures, is further associated with the photodetector sensor. Theshutter member can be operated by a pulling action exerted on the tapematerial.

In particular, the shutter member can be operated, for example, uponmanual application of the above mentioned pulling force at a startingfed portion of tape material, between a first position approached to thesensor, for hindering the reception of the light signal, and a secondposition, spaced from the sensor, to allow the reception of the lightsignal. The shutter member is represented, for example, by a levermember associated with the case 2.

As an alternative, the supplementary command sensor can be a reflectionphotoswitch, an electric contacts sensor or a magnetic sensor.

The machine 1 comprises at least one measuring device 5 for measuringthe dimensions of a body, for example a container 6. The container 6 ispredisposed to be placed, for example by hand, in a zone close to themachine 1. As an alternative, the container 6 is fed to the abovementioned zone by feeding means, for example at pitch.

The measuring device 5 can be placed externally to the case 2 (seeFIG. 1) or, alternatively, included in the case 2, preferably arrangedinside it (see FIG. 3).

The measuring device 5 comprises a transducer member, not shown in thefigures, predisposed to generate a signal which can be suitablyaddressed towards a surface facing the container 6 and to receive thesignal reflected by the same surface of the container 6. The transducermember is for example an ultrasound transducer. As an alternative, thetransducer member can be of the type known as sonar.

Preferably, the ultrasound transducer member works on distancescomprised between 2 cm and 300 cm.

The measuring device 5 further comprises an electronic control andprocessing unit, connected with the transducer member, predisposed tocontrol the outputting of the signal an to process the reflected signalacquired by the transducer member so as to extract at least one figurecorrelatable with a dimension of the container 6 to be measured.

The electronic unit of the measuring device 5 preferably comprises amicro-controller, known per se and therefore not described in detail,programmed for executing the above mentioned functions.

The machine 1 comprises as well transmission means 7, for connectionbetween the measuring device 5 and the receiving unit of the abovementioned control unit.

The at least one figure extracted from the reflected signal istransferred by means of transmission means 7 to the receiving unit ofthe machine 1. In the case illustrated in FIG. 1 the transmission means7 are realized by wiring, in particular by a cable. As an alternative,the data transmission may take place over the air, that is in theabsence of wires. In this case, it is possible to provide the use of adata transmission standard for wireless systems, known as bluetooth.

The machine 1 preferably comprises a reference element 8, predisposed todefine a spatial reference system for the measuring device 5. Inpractice, the container 6 is predisposed in abutment against theabutment element 6, to be easily measured by the measuring device 5 (seeFIG. 1).

The functioning of the machine for dispensing tape material is describedin the following.

In a starting step, the dispensing machine 1 is arranged for dispensinga strip of tape material.

Subsequently, the container 6 being measured is placed in a positionfacing the measuring device 5, preferably in abutment against thereference element 8.

The subsequent step provides to operate the measuring device 5,transmitting a signal towards the facing surface of the container 6being measured and to receive, on the same device 5, the signalreflected by the same surface.

Subsequently, the measuring device 5 extracts, according to thereflected signal, at least one figure correlatable with the dimension ofthe container 6 being measured and transmits, by means of thetransmission means 7, the same figure to the control means.

The control unit determines the value of the proportioned length of thestrip of tape material to be dispensed.

This proportioned length can be for example represented by the dimensionof the container, being measured, increased of the length of respectiveends, to be folded on opposite faces in order to ensure a safe closureof the container 6.

The command means are operated, for example intervening on the startbutton, and a starting portion of tape material is dispensed by the feedroller of the machine 1.

The already unwound starting portion is grasped and subjected to apulling action, preferably by hand, causing in this way the operation ofthe supplementary command sensor.

The operation of the supplementary command sensor, which produces theconversion of the input signal, for example a light signal, into an exitsignal, for example an electric signal, operates the control unit of themachine, which controls the dispensing of the completion portion of thestrip of proportioned length.

The dispensing of the completion portion can be started for example byexerting a further pulling action on the already dispensed startingportion.

According to an alternative embodiment of the machine for dispensing oftape material according to the invention, it is possible to provide thatthe machine 1 comprises, for defining a spatial reference signal and foran accurate measuring, an auxiliary measuring device 5′, alternativelyto the abutment element 8 (see FIGS. 2 and 4).

In the above mentioned alternative embodiment, the machine 1 comprisesan auxiliary measuring device 5′ cooperating with the measuring device5, and entirely similar thereto, both structurally and functionally.

In fact, also the auxiliary measuring device 5′ is predisposed to emit asignal towards a facing surface of the container 6 and to process thesignal reflected by the same surface for transmitting at least onerespective further figure to the receiving unit of the machine 1. Thisfigure extracted by the measuring device 5 and said further figureextracted by the auxiliary measuring device 5′ are transmitted andintegrated for determining, by means of the control unit, the value ofthe length proportioned to the dimension of the container 6 to bemeasured.

In this solution, suitable for dispensing any type of tape material, itis possible to provide the presence, as an alternative or as anaddition, of the supplementary command sensor, previously described.

Also for this solution, as well as for the previously describedsolution, it is possible to provide that at least one measuring device5, 5′ is included or inserted inside the case 2 (see FIGS. 3 and 4,respectively).

The functioning of the dispensing machine for tape material according tothe above mentioned embodiment provides the following steps.

After having arranged the machine 1, the container 6, on which the stripof the cited tape material of a length proportioned to a dimension ofthe same container 6 is intended to be applied, is interposed betweenthe measuring device 5 and the auxiliary measuring device 5′.

Each prepared measuring device 5, 5′ firstly transmits a respectivesignal directed towards a respective facing surface of the interposedcontainer 6, and then receives a respective signal reflected by therespective facing surface of the container 6.

Subsequently, each reflected signal is processed by each measuringdevice 5, 5′, and at least one figure correlatable with the dimension ofthe container to be measured is transmitted by means of the transmissionmeans 7 by each measuring device 5, 5′ to the control unit of themachine 1, which receives by means of the receiving unit.

The control unit processes the received figures, thus determining thevalue of the length for the strip to be dispensed, proportioned to thereceived figures.

Finally, the command means are operated, preferably through the citeddispensing button or through the foot operated command, and thedispensing of the above mentioned strip of tape material is commanded,with the proportioned length, determined by the control unit.Preferably, the length of the strip is substantially equal to themeasured dimension of the container 6 or increased of ends, to ensure anoptimal wrapping.

Lastly, the cut means of the machine 1 carry out the cutting of thestrip of fed tape material.

The dispensing machine of tape material reaches the scope of easing thedispensing of strips of tape material.

The dispensing machine is easy to use. As a matter of facts, theoperator shall simply push a command member, for example a button or afoot operated command, to operate the required dispensing of therequired strip, without any other operation, in particular, without theneed of setting, often in subjective way, the length optimal for thecontainer.

This feature is particularly advantageous in case of sequences ofcontainers to be treated, having different sizes: the operator shall notworry about setting anytime a different value of optimal length, as themachine automatically detects the required measure and the proportionedlength, for each case.

The machine according to the invention, in the different describedand/or disclosed embodiments, allows to speed up in considerable mannerthe production process, thus increasing the performance thereof.

A further aspect to be considered is that, in a very versatile way, themachine allows to dispense in an efficient way different kind of tapematerial.

The machine described by way of example is susceptible of numerousmodifications and variations according to the different needs.

In practice, the used materials as well as the size and shape may varyaccording to the needs.

Should the technical characteristics mentioned in the claims be followedby reference signs, such reference signs were included for the solepurpose of increasing the understanding of the claims and thus theyshall not be deemed limiting the scope of the element identified by suchreference signs by way of example.

1. A machine for dispensing tape material comprising: a feed rollerconfigured to feed a tape material, unwinding said tape material from areel; a cut means for cutting of said tape material; at least onemeasuring device for acquiring at least one figure correlatable with ameasure of one dimension of a body to which a strip of said tapematerial is intended to be applied, said strip having a lengthproportioned to said dimension to be measured; a transmission means fortransmitting said at least one figure; a control unit comprising areceiving unit configured to receive said at least one figuretransmitted by said transmission, said control unit being configured todetermine a value of said proportioned length and to control feeding ofsaid strip of said tape material; a command means for operatingdispensing of said tape material; an auxiliary measuring deviceconfigured to cooperate with said measuring device for acquiring afurther figure correlatable to said measure of said dimension of saidbody and transmitted by said transmission means to said control unit todetermine said value of said proportioned length.
 2. A machine accordingto claim 1, further comprising a supplementary command sensor configuredto detect an input signal and to convert said input signal in an outputsignal addressed to said control unit, to perform unwinding of acompletion portion of said strip of said tape material, said unwindingof said completion portion of said strip of tape material beingsubsequent to the unwinding of a starting portion of said strip of saidtape material operated by said command means, said starting portion ofsaid strip of said tape material and said completion portion of saidstrip of said tape material extending together for said proportionedlength.
 3. A machine for dispensing tape material comprising: a feedroller configured to feed a tape material, unwinding said tape materialfrom a reel; a cut means for cutting said tape material; at least onemeasuring device for acquiring at least one figure correlatable with ameasure of a dimension of a body on which a strip of said tape materialis to be applied, with a length proportioned to said dimension to bemeasured; a transmission means for transmitting said at least onefigure; a control unit comprising a receiving unit configured to receivesaid at least one figure transmitted by said transmission means, saidcontrol unit being further configured to determine a value of saidproportioned length and to control dispensing of said strip of said tapematerial; a command means for operating the dispensing of said strip ofsaid tape material; a supplementary command sensor configured to detectan input signal and to convert said input signal in an output signaladdressed to said control unit, to perform unwinding of a completionportion of said strip of tape material, said unwinding of saidcompletion portion of said strip of said tape material being subsequentto unwinding of a starting portion operated by said command means, saidstarting portion and said completion portion extending together for saidproportioned length.
 4. A machine according to claim 3, wherein saidsupplementary command sensor is adapted to be operated via a pullingaction exerted on said starting portion of said tape material.
 5. Amachine according to claim 4, wherein said supplementary command sensorcomprises a photodetector sensor, said input signal being a light signaland said output signal being an electric signal, said photodetectorsensor being associated with a shutter member adapted to be operated viasaid pulling action exerted on said unwound starting portion of saidtape material.
 6. A machine according to claim 4, wherein said commandsensor is one of a reflection photoswitch, a magnetic sensor and anelectric contacts sensor.
 7. A machine according to claim 3, furthercomprising a fixed reference element configured to define a referencesystem for said at least one measuring device, said fixed referenceelement defining an abutment for positioning said body with respect tosaid at least one measuring device.
 8. A machine according to claim 3,wherein said at least one measuring device comprises a transducer memberpredisposed to generate a signal addressed to said body and to receivesaid signal reflected by said body, wherein a control and processingunit, connected with said transducer member, predisposed is configuredto control providing said signal as output and to process said signalreflected by said body so as to extract said at least one figurecorrelatable with said dimension of said body.
 9. A machine according toclaim 3, further comprising a case, said feed roller and said cut meansbeing housed inside said case, said case having an exit opening fordispensing said tape material, said at least one measuring device beingincluded in said case.
 10. A machine according to claim 3, wherein saidat least one measuring device comprises an ultrasound transducer member.11. A machine according to claim 3, wherein said transmission means isone of a wired transmission means and a wireless transmission means. 12.A method for dispensing strips of tape material, the method comprisingthe steps of: arranging a machine for dispensing tape material, saidmachine comprising a feed roller configured to feed said tape material,unwinding said tape material from a reel, said machine furthercomprising a cut means for cutting said tape material, a measuringdevice for acquiring at least one figure correlatable with measurementof one dimension of a body to which a strip of said tape material isintended to be applied, having a length proportioned to said dimensionto be measured, said machine further comprising an auxiliary measuringdevice configured to cooperate with said measuring device for acquiringa further figure correlatable with said dimension of said body, atransmission means for transmitting said figure and said further figure,acquired by said measuring device and by said auxiliary measuring deviceand a control unit comprising a receiving unit configured to receivesaid figure and said further figure through said transmission means,said control unit being configured to determine a value of saidproportioned length and to control dispensing of said strip of tapematerial, said machine further comprising a command means for operatingsaid dispensing of said strip of tape material; interposing said bodybetween said measuring device and said auxiliary measuring device;providing a respective signal directed to a respective facing surface ofsaid interposed body as output via each said measuring device and saidauxiliary measuring device; receiving on each said measuring device andsaid auxiliary measuring device a respective signal reflected by eachsurface said body; extracting from each reflected signal said figure andsaid further figure, correlatable with said dimension of said body to bemeasured; transmitting said figure and said further figure to saidcontrol unit via said transmission means, said control unit receivingsaid figure and said further figure via a receiving unit; processingsaid figure and said further figure via said control unit to determinethe value of said proportioned length; operating said command means, tocommand the dispensing of said strip of tape material, having saidproportioned length, determined by said control unit.
 13. A method fordispensing strips of tape material, the method comprising the steps of:arranging a machine for dispensing tape material, said machinecomprising a feed roller configured to feed said tape material,unwinding said tape material from a reel and at least one measuringdevice for acquiring at least one figure correlatable with a measurementof one dimension of a body to which a strip of said tape material is tobe applied, said strip of said tape material having a lengthproportioned to said dimension to be measured, said machine furthercomprising a transmission means for transmitting said at least onefigure acquired by said at least one measuring device and a control unitcomprising a receiving unit configured to receive said at least onefigure from said transmission means, said control unit being configuredto process said proportioned length and to control dispensing of saidstrip of tape material, said machine further comprising a command meansfor operating dispensing of at least one starting portion of said stripof material of proportioned length and a supplementary command sensorconfigured to detect an input signal and to convert said input signal inan output signal addressed to said control unit, for unwinding acompletion portion of said strip of tape material, said at least onestarting portion and said completion portion of said strip extendingtogether for said proportioned length; placing said body frontally tosaid measuring device in abutment against a reference element;transmitting a signal directed towards a facing surface of said body viasaid measuring device; receiving on said measuring device a signalreflected by said facing surface of said body; extracting said at leastone figure correlatable with said measurement of said body to bemeasured from said reflected signal; transmitting said at least onefigure to said control unit via said transmission means, said controlunit receiving said at least one figure via a receiving unit; processingat least one figure via said control unit, wherein said control unitdetermines a value of said proportioned length; operating said commandmeans to perform the dispensing of said starting portion of said stripof tape material; exerting a pulling action on said starting portion, soas to operate said supplementary command sensor and to transmit saidoutput signal to said control unit; dispensing said completion portionof said strip via said control unit.
 14. A machine according to claim 1,wherein said body is a container.
 15. A machine according to claim 3,wherein said body is a container.
 16. A method according to claim 12,wherein said body is a container.
 17. A method according to claim 13,wherein said body is a container.